Varanasi's first international cricket stadium is officially opened by Prime Minister Modi

 

The stadium's construction project is set to take place in a sprawling 30-acre expanse, and it comes with a substantial price tag of Rs. 450 crore. Notably, the Uttar Pradesh government has reported an expenditure of Rs. 121 crore for the acquisition of the stadium's land, while the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) will be allocating a hefty sum of Rs. 330 crore towards the actual construction of the stadium. The ambitious project is anticipated to reach completion by December 2025.

Over the weekend, Prime Minister Narendra Modi presided over the groundbreaking ceremony for what is poised to become the first international cricket stadium in Varanasi's Ganjari, situated in the state of Uttar Pradesh. This momentous occasion was graced by the presence of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, alongside an illustrious assembly of cricketing legends, including luminaries such as Sachin Tendulkar, Sunil Gavaskar, Kapil Dev, Dilip Vengsarkar, Madan Lal, Gundappa Viswanath, Gopal Sharma, and Ravi Shastri. Also in attendance were key figures from the BCCI, including President Roger Binny, Vice-President Rajiv Shukla, and Secretary Jay Shah.

The expansive stadium project, spanning 30 acres, is projected to incur costs amounting to Rs. 450 crore. It's worth noting that the Uttar Pradesh government has already allocated Rs. 121 crore for the acquisition of the stadium's land, while the lion's share of the budget, totaling Rs. 330 crore, will be dedicated to the stadium's construction by the BCCI. The anticipated timeline for the stadium's completion extends to December 2025.

The architectural design of the proposed cricket stadium in Ganjari, Varanasi, is envisioned to pay homage to the city's sacred heritage, particularly its association with Lord Shiva. As revealed by Ankit Chatterjee, Chief Executive Officer of the Uttar Pradesh Cricket Association (UPCA), the stadium's roofs will take on the distinctive form of a crescent, symbolizing Lord Shiva's crown, while the floodlights will be shaped like tridents. During the inauguration ceremony, Prime Minister Modi expressed his belief that the stadium would play a pivotal role in promoting sports and nurturing the talents of young athletes.

Modi remarked, "This stadium in the city of 'Mahadev' will be dedicated to 'Mahadev' himself. This stadium will become the star of the Purvanchal region."

Furthermore, regional sports officer RP Singh noted that with the completion of this cricket stadium within a mere 2.5 years, Varanasi will gain the capacity to host international cricket matches, marking a significant milestone for the city's sporting aspirations.

Later in the day, Prime Minister Modi's itinerary included a visit to Sampurnanand Sanskrit University in Varanasi, where he participated in the Nari Shakti Vandan-Abhinandan Karyakram (Women's Empowerment and Salutation Program). During the event, 5,000 women honored the Prime Minister in recognition of the passage of the women's reservation bill in parliament. Modi also engaged in discussions with these women regarding the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam 2023.

From the university, the Prime Minister proceeded to the Rudraksh International Cooperation and Convention Centre. Here, he inaugurated 16 newly constructed Atal Awasiya Vidyalayas, with one located in Varanasi. These schools are exclusively dedicated to the education and holistic development of children belonging to construction workers, daily wage earners, and Covid orphans. 

Each Atal school is situated on an area of 10-15 acres and is equipped with facilities such as sports grounds, recreational spaces, mini auditoriums, hostel complexes, mess facilities, and residential accommodations for staff. Ultimately, each school aims to accommodate up to 1,000 students. The Prime Minister concluded his day by participating in the closing ceremony of the Kashi Sansad Sanskritik Mahotsav, which commenced on September 1 and showcased the talents of over 37,000 participants across 17 different disciplines in music, dance, and acting, as reported by Himanshu Nagpal, Varanasi's Chief Development Officer.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath emphasized that these monumental projects would accelerate Varanasi's developmental journey and contribute significantly to the progress of Uttar Pradesh as a whole. In his statement on social media, he expressed his eagerness to partake in these significant programs in Kashi, the city of Lord Vishwanath. 

The grand international cricket stadium's foundation stone was laid, and the inauguration of 16 Atal Residential Schools was slated for the day. Additionally, Yogi Adityanath was set to participate in the closing ceremony of the Kashi Sansad Cultural Mahotsav.